WASHINGTON (CBSDC/AP) — A senior adviser to President Obama is reportedly leading secret talks with Iran.

YNet News reports Valerie Jarrett is working behind the scenes to help U.S. officials communicate with representatives for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayotallah Ali Khamenei.

Jarett was born in Shiraz, Iran.

The New York Times initially reported in October that the United States and Iran agreed to one-on-one negotiations regarding the Islamic state’s nuclear program, but both side vigorously denied the report.

“It’s not true that the United States and Iran have agreed to one-on-one talks or any meeting after the American elections,” White House spokesman Tommy Vietor told the Times.

The Obama administration is hoping to end Iran’s nuclear program diplomatically, as U.S. and European sanctions have helped to cripple Iran’s economy.

“The window remains open to resolve the international community’s concerns about your nuclear program diplomatically and to relieve your isolation, but that window cannot remain open indefinitely,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said while in Kosovo last month, according to The Associated Press. “Therefore, we hope that there can be serious good-faith negotiations commenced soon.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on President Obama to draw a “red line” on Iran’s nuclear program and has hinted that Israel might launch a military strike on the Tehran regime’s nuclear facilities.

Iran has consistently stated that they are not building a nuclear weapon and that their nuclear program is being used for peaceful purposes only.